Anthony Kim Shares Why He Chose To Join LIV Golf Instead Of Returning To PGA Tour

Now months into his return to professional golf, we're slowly but surely learning more about Anthony Kim after the three-time PGA Tour winner spent over a decade living what can only be described as a secret life away from anything that resembled a spotlight.

Kim came out of the shadows in March by signing with LIV Golf as a free agent. While most assumed that the Saudi-backed circuit was his lone option to return to professional golf - especially with the rumored insurance policy still a piece of the puzzle - it turns out he had an opportunity to return to the Tour as well.

The 39-year-old recently joined LIV's ‘Fairway To Heaven’ podcast and laid out the three options he was contemplating before ultimately inking a deal with LIV.

"I had three options; it was the PGA Tour, play here [LIV] or not play golf at all and all three had an equal shot," he explained. "After a few conversations with LIV and the PGA Tour, I was leaning towards not playing again, but my wife was like ‘who is ever going to get this opportunity again’."

"I had financial benefits from both sides, that’s no secret. I had different sponsorship opportunities whether I played the PGA or LIV and I still have different opportunities," Kim continued.

Anthony Kim chose to join LIV Golf despite having the option to make a return to the PGA Tour. Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

If Kim had chosen to take another swing at competing on the PGA Tour, he would likely have received plenty of sponsor exemptions to get into tournament fields. Getting into tournament fields does not equal a payday on the Tour, however, he would have had to perform and make cuts to receive a paycheck at the end of the day.

LIV's biggest selling point to its players is the exact opposite as there are no cuts in events and players tee it up knowing they'll be paid each week they tee it up.

Getting back into the swing of professional golf knowing you'll be paid feels like a no-brainer when you've been away from the competitive side of the game for more than 10 years.

Kim is competing in his eighth LIV tournament of the year this week in England. His best finish of the year came during LIV Nashville where he finished 46th.